Kings coach John Stevens doesn’t have to look far to prepare for Panthers All-Star center Aleksander Barkov. He has his own All-Star center that brings one of the best two-way games in the league.

Barkov has often drawn comparisons to Kings center Anze Kopitar for his size, his defensive ability and his skill in the offensive zone, making him one of the league’s best forwards and a candidate for the Selke Trophy, awarded to the league’s best defensive forward.

“If I was a young guy like that, I’d be trying to emulate Anze Kopitar,” Stevens said. “He’s been doing that for a long time, had a lot of success doing it, learned how to win. They seem like they have a similar makeup of their game that might mirror games like that.”

Barkov, 22, and Kopitar, 30, will likely be matched up for most of Friday’s game between the Panthers and Kings, as Panthers coach Bob Boughner often matches Barkov with the opponent’s top line.

This season, Barkov and Kopitar have posted similar numbers.

Each are on pace to set career highs in points. Barkov has 47 in 50 games; Kopitar, 57 in 53 games. Barkov leads the league in ice time among forwards. Kopitar is second. Both are at least 54 percent in the faceoff circle. Both have Corsi For percentages above 53 percent.

“It’s going to be an interesting clash tonight to see those guys going head-to-head,” Boughner said. “Obviously, they’re both shutdown guys, but the team’s best offensive player. So they’re going to be playing a lot against each other tonight.”

How about the Lady Byng Trophy, given to the player who “exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability”?

“Yeah, he could probably get the Lady Byng. No awards that I’m going for, though.”

Haley leads the league with 145 penalty minutes.

Ekblad supports Hockey is for Everyone

As part of the NHL’s Hockey is for Everyone campaign in February, the Panthers will hold pride night on Friday night as Florida hosts Los Angeles.

Defenseman Aaron Ekblad is the team’s designated ambassador for the initiative, one that extends to his sponsorships as well. Ekblad has been part of Nike’s “BeTrue” campaign over the last few years, appearing in ads wearing a shirt that says “Equality” in rainbow colors.

“It’s all about inclusion, right?” Ekblad said. “When the time comes that somebody does come out as identifying themselves as part of that community in any way, the right atmosphere is created among the players in the league. It’s all about accepting. As a team, as a player, we feel accepting of others.”

During warmups on Friday night, Ekblad will use a stick with rainbow tape on it that the Florida Panthers Foundation will auction.

Additionally, the South Florida Gay Men’s Chorus will sing the national anthem and Harrison Browne, the first transgender professional athlete in North America, will drop a ceremonial puck.